5 Mistakes New Gardeners Make

5 Mistakes New Gardeners Make:

1. Eyes are bigger than experience and needs:  When starting out in gardening my recommendation is to start small and gain some confidence.  Large areas of gardens may look great for the first little while but if you don’t have the time or the experience the end results will turn into frustrations and a waste of $$$.
2. Selecting the wrong plants!!  The ultimate goal is finding the right plant for the right place.  When you do so plants will grow with ease and if perennial will come back year after year with minimal care.   If you just go out and choose a plant because it looks good…the end result could be deadly!!
3. Buying in bloom:  Ok you’ve checked to see that your soil type and light requirements match however you select the plant that is in full bloom at the garden centre.  I always say in the world of plants look for bud not bloom and sometimes as with marigolds I suggest pulling off all the blooms at planting so the Marigold can focus on its roots for establishment.
4. Wrong soil:  That $1.99 bag may look like a good deal but if used in a container will kill your plants (from root rot).  For pots choose soils formulated for containers or potting soil.  However remember most container and potting soils are soilless mixes meaning you need to fertilize.
5. You don’t ask questions:  Everyone at one point in their life was a novice gardener.  There are no bad questions.  If you don’t know the difference between an annual and perennial ask!!  Find a knowledge friend or just a good garden centre to help guide your shopping decisions.  My book “Get Growing” is perfect for building your garden confidence.